This UNESCO site project was an exercise in creating a whole brand system – keeping in mind the identity of the physical site as well as print and digital deliverables for visitors to interact with.
I chose the Alhambra because I had visited it over the summer and was awed by the scale and craftsmanship of the site. It came with its own design already, which I needed to balance with my own. I went for a rather minimal system in order to not overwhelm or overshadow what is so special about the site, which is its intricacy and craftsmanship.
I designed two 3D objects, one a van wrap, and the other a site sign/installation of glass arches. Digitally, I mocked up a website landing page and app icon.
I also designed several print deliverables, including an informational page on the site, business cards, and a stationary and envelope system, as well as these New Yorker ads for a hypothetical MFA show exhibiting photos and artifacts from my site.
In addition, we were asked to design a brochure for our site, which included the mission statement of UNESCO as a whole. I designed this as a double-sided accordion brochure, with the Alhambra text on one side and the UNESCO text on the other.
Here is some of my early inspiration and ideation for my logo/logotype. I was inspired by the arches and many tile patterns at the Alhambra. (Fun fact, if the geometric patterns seem familiar it’s because M. C. Escher was inspired by them too.) Below is an example of my process; these are my letterhead drafts through the project.
